Bangabandhu Hi-tech Park to boost technology-based employment

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) division has started
implementing the hi-tech park project on 31.63 acres of land at an estimated cost of around Taka 281.91 crore as the present government with dynamic leadership Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is keen to implement the project for socio-economic development of the region.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hi-Tech Park in Rajshahi, one of the 28 hi-tech and software technology parks that the present government is building across the country, is expected to create job opportunities for the huge number of youths.

"The project titled 'Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hi-Tech Park, Rajshahi', which was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in December 22, 2016, is being implemented by Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority under ICT Division," State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak told BSS.

While talking about the significance of establishing the dedicated IT park in Rajshahi, Palak said the city is hosting more than one lakh students of different educational institutes like Rajshahi University, Rajshahi Medical College, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET) and Rajshahi College.

"Thinking about the career of these students, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from a rally in Rajshahi in 2011, had promised to construct this hi-tech park there. By implementing her promise we would be able to create job opportunities for around 14,000 youths there. Rajshahi would become a digital economy hub by generating IT-based employment in that park," Palak added.

During her visit here on September 14 next, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to lay foundation stone of the park, he added.

The state minister said the park will play a key role in building Digital Bangladesh, accelerating the national economic development by expanding hi-tech industries, establishing hardware industries, IT industries and creating a helpful condition to attract foreign companies.

Foreign companies, he said, would be allowed to provide technological support for developing local industries.

The park intends to create atmosphere for establishing industries on ICT, engineering, electronics, telecommunication and biotechnology. Besides, more avenues of employment for the ICT people will be created in this venture.

Palak said the present government is pledge-bound to promote the ICT sector for overall development of the country.

To this end, the government has been implementing massive programmes and people of both rural and urban areas are enjoying benefits of modern technology, he added. Young people are being imparted time-befitting IT training for their empowerment, he added.